Combination folding step ladder and stool



July 16, 1940, Q. Q. KELSO. 2,207,923

COMBINATIONFOLDING STEP LADDER AND STOOL Filed June 3, 1938 z 6 IO i [a g. KQ/SO 1N VENTOR.

A TTOR EY.

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES COMBINATION FOLDING STEP LADDER AND STOOL Nyla Q. Kelso, Dallas, Tex., assignor of one-half to Edgar Dugas and one-half to Alice H.

McCulloch, Dallas, Tex.

Application June 3, 1938, Serial No. 211,583

3 Claims.

This invention relates to combination folding step ladders and stools, and it has particular reference to a device which may .be readily collapsed to a folded position at the will of an operator.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a structure whereby the combination ladder and stool may be readily collapsed to a folded position by an operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by which the units of the device are secured in operative position.

Still another object is to provide a stool having brace members pivotally connected to the legs thereof, and further having diagonal members so arranged that the legs may be held and locked in operative position.

A still further object is to provide in a device of the character to be hereinafter described a structure which is light in weight, low in manufacturing cost and which has a wide range of utility, particularly for use in homes.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to its salient 5 features of construction and arrangement of parts which will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combination folding step ladder and stool.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the stool in collapsed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view showing in perspective the combined locking and brace members, and showing the relationship of the parts when the stool is in a partially folded position, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the attachment of the pivotally mounted brace members to the steps of the device.

Referring primarily to Figure 1, the reference numeral l denotes a pairof legs which are pivotally connected by bolts 2 to a top portion 3.

Similarly'arranged legs 4 are pivotally connected to the top portion 3 by bolts 5.

Brace members 6 and 1 are pivotally mounted to the legs I at a, and brace members 8 and 9 are similarly mounted upon the legs 4 at b. The brace members 6, I, 8, and 9 are formed as shown in Figure 4. A step I0 is interposed between and secured to the brace members 6 and 8 and 'a step II is likewise arranged relative to the braces l and 9. These steps are preferably provided with suitable mats l2, which mats serve to eliminate the possibility of slippage when an operator is using the combination step ladder and stool.

The means by which'the stool is retained in operative position-is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. A member l3 formed as shown in Figure 3 is pivoted to one of the legs I at a. This member is provided with a lip I4 which lip is arranged to be conformably received within a notch in a member IS. The latter member is pivotally mounted upon the companion leg I and is also pivoted to the member 13 at c. The brace and locking arrangement which joins the legs 4 is similar to the arrangement above described for joining and locking the legs I and is comprised of the mem-- bers l1 and i8.

It is pointed out that the members l3 and I! are provided with bends d. Thus the members l3 and H are so formed that the pivot points 0 are slightly below dead center when the ladder is arranged in the operative position shown in Figure 1. The purpose of this arrangement is to preclude the possibility of collapsing during the time the ladder is being used.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination stool and step ladder comprising a seat, legs pivoted at their upper ends to said seat, pivoted links interconnecting said legs and having means intermediate their ends to hold the same against accidental releasefrom operative position, arms pivoted also to said legs and disposed in a relatively angular plane and having extended forward ends, steps supported by said ends adapted to be turned downwardly when the legs of said stool are collapsed to a relatively parallel plane.

2. A folding step ladder and stool including a top portion operatively disposed in a horizontal plane, spaced by members pivotally connected to said top portion, diagonally arranged brace members having extended ends and pivotally connected to the legs, said extended'ends of said brace members having steps secured thereto while said legs form uprights for said steps, and spreader elements for retaining the device in an operative position.

3. A combination folding step ladder and stool including a top seat portion, spaced upright leg members pivotally connected to the underside of said top seat portion, brace members interconnecting said leg members, and angularly arranged relative thereto, said brace members having extended ends to carry step portion thereon, said legs forming uprights for said steps, spreader elements comprising a pair of links pivotally connected at their ends to oppositely disposed leg members, and means intermediate the end pivot points of said links to maintain the same in an extended operative position.

I NYLA Q. IELSO. 

